Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres* 423 



those of Rostrhamus sociabilis, say teu to fifteen vards. They 

 are placed in the centre of a tuft of ''hunco/' and are built 

 up from the surface of the water to the height of about a foot — 

 in shape neat, but slight, and rather deeply eup-shapcd, con- 

 structed of short pieces o£ dry " huneo," and carefully quilted 

 and lined with wool and hair. The birds usually remain 

 perched close to the nest, and by their position and cries 

 betray its whereabouts. 



The general number of eggs is only three ; but I have once 

 seen a nest with five. The average measurement of eleven 

 specimens is If^X Ito, the largest egg being If^X \\^, and 

 the smallest If § x l^u • -^s I likened the eggs of Rostrhamus 

 sociabilis to the Sparrowhawk's, so those of the Chimango 

 may be fitly compared to the KestreFs in appearance. The 

 ground-colour is reddish, specked, spotted, and blotched with 

 the same, but darker, a pretty egg in short, though not on a 

 par with that of R. sociabilis. 



10. Asio BRACHYOTus. '' Nacurutu " of the natives. 



Not uncommon, frequenting thistle- and grass coverts. 

 Seemingly more abundant in the winter months. It is said 

 to breed in the long grass ; and I heard of one such nest being 

 found near a swamp, the eggs being two in number, and, of 

 course, round and white ; but these, unfortunately, were 

 broken by the finder, and I still have reason to lament 

 their loss. 



11. Pholeoptynx cunicularia. Lechuza. 



The habits of this little Owl are too well known for me to 

 recapitulate them at length. Wherever there is a biscachero, 

 or, failing that, an armadillo or tuco-tuco's burrow, one meets 

 with a pair of Lechuzas, either on guard at the mouth of 

 the hole, or perched on some adjacent thistle or bush. Very 

 local in its habits, it never wanders far from its habitation, 

 even during the night. I have often been amused at them 

 as I raced past in a stage-coach drawn by fourteen or sixteen 

 horses. The Owls look on in solemn wonder, and then turn 

 their heads and regard each other in a manner so expressive 

 of superior wisdom on their own part, and with such an im- 



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